New York to Qingdao shipping route.

Ships leaving New York for Qingdao head north and cover a sea distance of 10,690 nautical miles (19,798 km), via Panama Canal. The straight line between the ports is 11,353 km; coastlines and shipping lanes add the rest. On the way the vessel passes Panama Canal, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

Pure steaming time is 31.8 days at 14 knots. A carrier that slow steams at 12 knots to save fuel needs 37.1 days, and a fast 18 knot string about 24.7. Liner schedules on the lane quote 24 to 60 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 123 sailings by 9 carriers (CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk).

The next option is via Suez Canal, 12,657 nautical miles, 1,966 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Suez Canal is congested or closed.

522 nm of the route, 5% of it, lies inside North American ECA. In an emission control area ships must burn fuel with no more than 0.1% sulphur or clean the exhaust with scrubbers. That fuel costs more, and carriers add it to the ocean freight bill as a low sulphur or ECA surcharge.

Recent freight rates for USNYC to CNTAO start at $6,748 for a 20GP and $8,435 for a 40GP ($8,485 for a 40HC). These are spot market prices from carriers that sail the lane; your quote will also include terminal handling, documentation and any bunker surcharge. At Qingdao (CNTAO) carriers give about 6 free days before demurrage and detention charges start, so plan the truck or rail pickup before the box lands.

Of the 65 port to port routes from New York in this directory, Qingdao is the 55th shortest. Closer destinations include Shanghai (10,678 nm), Incheon (10,645 nm) and Tanjung Priok (10,461 nm).